1920s
The dining room in the Main Building continued to use oil lamps, as seen in historical photos, even though the building had been equipped with electricity since 1890. By 1922, new electric lights replaced gas lighting in the Boys’ and Girls’ Industrial Buildings and the Boiler House.
Beginning with Christmas 1921, the Shriners of Syria Temple began a tradition of sending a Santa Claus to the school. Each child unable to go home for the holidays received a gift and a box of candy, bringing holiday cheer to the students.
A new commencement tradition was introduced in 1921, where a student led administrators and seniors to the chapel while carrying a wooden torch adorned with a ribbon for that year. Each subsequent year, a ribbon was added to the torch.
In 1922, two tall light posts were installed in front of the Main Building, and electric lights were added across the campus, providing greater security at night. The following year, a 90-foot flagpole, donated by O.J.H. Braddock, was erected on the front lawn of the Main Building.
On February 5, 1923, the school’s name officially changed from the Western Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD). The school had been under the supervision of the State Board of Charities since 1871, which later transitioned to the State Department of Welfare. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees authorized the formation of two special health classes in 1923—one for boys, taught by Mr. A.U. Downing, and one for girls, taught by Mrs. Burt, the superintendent’s wife. That same year, Mr. Downing designed a blue school flag with gold “W.P.S.D.” lettering, which was presented to the school on May 30.
Ruth (Davis) Ludovico, class of 1928, participated in a Red Cross celebration at the William Penn Hotel. Her remarks, broadcast over the radio, highlighted the effectiveness of the school’s oral education program and left a favorable impression.
The Camp Fire Girls organization at the school evolved into the Girl Reserves and later became part of the more popular Girl Scouts in 1938.
During the sixth Alumni Reunion and the 50th Anniversary of the residential school in Turtle Creek, a group photo of thirty former pupils from Turtle Creek was taken in 1926.
The Western Pennsylvanian (WPAN), the school’s publication, reduced its size from 10”x15” to 8.5”x11” in response to a suggestion by the Alumni Association.
In 1927, the Teacher Training Alumni Association was established, composed of graduates from the school’s teacher-training department. The organization aimed to promote the best interests of the school.
H. Lee Mason, a member of the Board, donated 300 pounds of turkeys for the pupils’ Thanksgiving dinner in 1927, a generous tradition he continued annually. In late 1929, financial concerns led to speculation that WPSD might be turned over to state control. On November 20, 1929, a committee from the Governor’s office met with the Board of Trustees, proposing the transfer of ownership to the state. The Board unanimously rejected the proposal, affirming their commitment to the school’s independence.